Republicans for a Fair Wisconsin
The civil unions and marriage ban is often seen in
partisan terms. While it’s true that the legislative vote on the ban was divided along party lines, this does not reflect the Republican Party as a whole.
Republicans from across Wisconsin oppose the ban and are actively working with Fair Wisconsin to defeat it. Fair Wisconsin is a non-partisan effort, but it’s critical to elevate the voices of Republican voices for a no vote this November.
Reasons Republicans are
working to defeat the ban
Fairness for Gay People
Many Republicans have loved ones who are gay or simply
believe in basic fairness. They may agree with their
party leadership on most issues, but not when it comes
to this.
“Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it’s an issue our family is very familiar with. With the respect to the question of relationships, my general view is freedom means freedom for everyone. ... People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to.”
- Vice President Dick Cheney, at a town hall meeting in Iowa, August 2004
The Role of the Constitution
The role of constitutions is to protect individuals
from government intrusion, not to foster it. The civil
unions and marriage ban takes away rights and
recklessly puts the government in the way of personal
liberty.
“Constitutions protect individuals from undue intrusion into their lives by government. The right to free speech is a constitutional prohibition on governmental restriction. Freedom of religion is a restriction that says government can't prevent you from worshipping as you want. Passing this today will change the nature of the Constitution. This is anti-constitutional.”
- State Assembly Rep. Gregg Underheim during Assembly debate
Privacy
As long as people are not harming others, government
should not interfere with private lives. The
far-reaching language of the ban will not only outlaw
civil unions but it will also jeopardize private legal
arrangements between unmarried couples.
Small Government
This ban will be the first time ever that Wisconsin
puts family policy into its Constitution. It increases
the role of government.
Stable Relationships & Families
As a society, we should encourage stable families and
relationships. The ban would create more obstacles to
long-term, committed gay couples.
"The conservative course is not to banish gay people from making such commitments. It is to expect that they make such commitments. We shouldn't just allow gay marriage. We should insist on gay marriage. We should regard it as scandalous that two people could claim to love each other and not want to sanctify their love with marriage and fidelity.”
- Conservative New York Times columnist David Brooks, November 25, 2003
Business
The civil union and marriage ban will hurt Wisconsin’s
business climate. Companies and talented employees
will choose to locate elsewhere. Studies further show
that young people place tolerance high on their list
when deciding where to move. The ban will accelerate
the brain drain.
“The ambiguity and breadth of Issue 1 will make it more difficult for us to retain and attract the young talented knowledge workers we need to advance Ohio’s prosperity in the 21st century.”
-
Republican Ohio Governor Bob Taft speaking against Ohio’s proposed civil unions and marriage ban in 2004
Costly Litigation
The ban’s reckless wording will lead to numerous
lawsuits arguing over what counts as a “substantially
similar” legal status. Many of these lawsuits will be
brought against public entities that offer domestic
partnership benefits—meaning tax dollars will go to
fighting such lawsuits.
"I think the vagueness of the ban's second sentence will lead to millions of dollars in lawsuits, one side paid for by the taxpayers. Litigating those cases alone will transfer millions of dollars away from our schools and out of our pockets. This proposed amendment is a fiscal conservative's nightmare, and as a conservative Republican it appalls me."
- Bill McConkey, a Republican "Voice for No"
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